The HQ Jam Session is a great inexpensive kite. Since the kite is framed in .2300 pultruded spars, parts are cheap. The Jam session does all of the popular tricks with ease ( almost too easy). I'm sure you'll like tis kite!

>The HQ Jam Session is a great inexpensive >kite. Since the kite is framed in .2300 pultruded >spars, parts are cheap. The Jam session does >all of the popular tricks with ease ( almost too easy). I'm sure you'll >like tis kite!

> Troy Gunn

But the LE is one piece, or at least was. that makes it kinda tricky to replace cuz most pultrude comes in 32.5" and you'll need something longer or replace the LE's with 2 sticks and a ferrule.

Another really good beginners kite, (not really a beginners kite, but good for beginner-?) is the Midi Sandpiper. It's pretty inexpensive, and well, a great kite. Takes a pretty good beating, and is a really well rounded kite.

Hope that helps. I have no connection with anybody, I just like kites.

Ok Both the Jam Session and the Midi are nice kites unfortunately although the pounds is strong at the moment guys, Its not that strong both these kites are nearer 100 pounds than 50 pounds.

To be honest you are not going to get a Delta kite that achieves all you want in the UK for 50 pounds. I would suggest two options. If you want a delta and to stay within 50 pounds buy a kite called the Beetle. But also buy some good dyneema/spectra line and handles to go with it. this should come to less than 50 pounds.

If its power that you want then I suggest you get a 6ft flexi foil than will cost about 60 pounds I think but the lines etc will push the cost to nearer 75-80.

To be really honest If you really think you will get into kites I would suggest going for a more expensive kite like the two that have been mentioned as once get to 100 pounds or so there is a lot larger choice of good kites that will last you years.

>I'd like to know if anyone can recommend a good beginners kite. I have >a bit of experience flying cheap stunt kites (from beach shops) and >would like to go a little further.

>I'm a bit worried that I'll buy something and crash it immediately so >I'd liek to get a kite that can withstand a bit of a bashing.

>Something that stretches the arms a bit on a windy day would be pretty >cool - upto about fifty quid would be fine.

To be honest for less than 50 UKP you're not going to find too much choice except for some dreadful so called beginner kites, they're often small and heavy which means they're twitchy and need a lot of wind to fly and are in fact more difficult to fly than a proper kite.

However that said I would recommend you have a look at Free Spirit Kites. If as you say you want your arms stretched, some of their soft foils (no frame to break) are very reasonably priced: Sabrefoil (2m) 40 UKP and certainly a BBV (3m) will give your arms a good stretch but that's 70 UKP.

They have a web site at http://www.fsk.enta.net/index.html or you can e-

OTOH if you would like a 'framed' kite FSK's dancer is good value at 45UKP.

Remember that you'll need to add the cost of some lines, better kites don't include them.

>To be honest for less than 50 UKP you're not going to find too much >choice except for some dreadful so called beginner kites, they're often >small and heavy which means they're twitchy and need a lot of wind to >fly and are in fact more difficult to fly than a proper kite.

>However that said I would recommend you have a look at Free Spirit >Kites.

Damn Dave is going to kill me for not suggesting his kites. I second this suggestion. Having said that I also know Dave through the MKF and so my be considered biased.

>Something that stretches the arms a bit on a windy day would be pretty >cool - upto about fifty quid would be fine.

Have a look at the cheaper Spirit of Air Kites. They start at around #35 and although you'll only get a 4 or 5 footer for that price, they're generally pretty well made and do actually fly, unlike a lot of the cheap toss that's out there. The range goes all the way up to about 200 quid and although we could all stand around and argue for hours about who makes the best high end kites, I think most people would agree that the Spirit of Air kites in the lower range are among the best.

But perhaps the best thing you can do is drop Roy Reed an email. He's got a Flexifoil Erazor for sale for 40 quid and it's a great beginner/ intermediate kite.

>I'll be at Basingstoke Kite fest next weekend if anyone want to test >fly.

>Roy Reed

I'd go for the Erazor if he's still got it. It's very strong, will take a really high wind (and give you that hard pull you wanted) but it's also versatile enough that you won't grow out of it too soon.

>>Something that stretches the arms a bit on a windy day would be pretty >>cool - upto about fifty quid would be fine.

having just started myself, i really like the Select One by Active People. is tolerant of abuse by beginners, flys in 1-10 mph, tricks nicely, and if you are quick about it you can fly it indoors. all this for only $120 canadian, which works out to what, 60UKp ? i was talking to some older kite flyers in my area and one was saying his select one is the only 2 line he flies anymore out of the 12 or so he has. if there is anymore wind than the select one can take, its strong enough to buggy ;) hope this helps. Nick

> To be really honest If you really think you will get into kites I would > suggest going for a more expensive kite like the two that have been > mentioned as once get to 100 pounds or so there is a lot larger choice of > good kites that will last you years.

Or, if you're not bothered by having the bang up to date latest version of a given kite, you should hunt around and get one of last year's models. Tradewinds Kites in Reading has (or had) a very good bargain box filled with ex display and ex demo Benson and Prism kites. The Highwaymen regularly feature similar bargains.

Failing that, Chris Matheson may still have some of last year's Sandpipers, Midis and Azizas.

See <http://www.highwaymen.demon.co.uk>, <http://ds.dial.pipex.com/chris.matheson/sale.html> or phone Tradewinds on 0118 956 8848

I would also echo everyone else's sentiments in that if you only spend 50 you'll either be put off and never fly a kite again _or_ you'll be back to spend 100 after about a month.

> If its power that you want then I suggest you get a 6ft flexi foil than will > cost about 60 pounds I think but the lines etc will push the cost to nearer

The Flexifoil is also pretty hard to break. I'm learning to fly a six foot one, and I usually manage to run it into the ground at high speed at least once per session, both with heavy wind and light wind spars. It hasn't appeared to damage the kite at all.

>>Something that stretches the arms a bit on a windy day would be pretty >>cool - upto about fifty quid would be fine.

>Have a look at the cheaper Spirit of Air Kites. They start at around #35 >and although you'll only get a 4 or 5 footer for that price, they're >generally pretty well made and do actually fly, unlike a lot of the cheap >toss that's out there. <snip>

I'll second that. But they actually start at 20. This is the price of the new Rapier complete with a set of naff lines and handles. It's a tiny kite, not easy to fly but almost indestructable and it tricks and dead launches. I tried one and rushed along to my local shop and bought on even though I've got lots of other kites. Needs 8m.p.h + winds before its any fun though.

Back to the point. You don't have to spend huge sums to get a good kite but however much you spend think carefully about what you want. Do you want a trick kite, power kite, precision? What is the typical wind speed in your area? There is no kite which is perfect for everything so if you are only going to buy one kite, especially if your budget is limited then think about what you want from it.

In general smaller, cheaper, stunt kites need more wind and are usually aimed at beginners so are not really designed for tricks or precision. The price usually includes lines and handles (not very good ones though)

Larger more expensive kites tend to be more specialised and can usually be flown in lighter winds (greater sail area, higher quality lighter spars etc.). The price doesn't usually include lines & handles so you have to take that into account.

Kites are like any other purchase. In general the more you pay the more you get. But there are plenty of good kites in your price bracket, e.g. Spirit of the Air Scimitar (around 45).

Lastly if you're still not sure, find out where your nearest club flies and go along and talk to the people there. Kitefliers are usually a pretty friendly bunch and happy to help a begginer. Or visit A Kite festival it's the time of year for them.

<>if u dont care about the price the jam session is a great kite for a bigginer <>to compitation but the price is aboat $120. <> <> <>I'll second that recommendation. It's a great kite for a beginner. Then when you ready for a more advanced kite you'll already have it. It flys great in low wind.

>I'd like to know if anyone can recommend a good beginners kite. I have >a bit of experience flying cheap stunt kites (from beach shops) and >would like to go a little further.

>I'm a bit worried that I'll buy something and crash it immediately so >I'd liek to get a kite that can withstand a bit of a bashing.

>Something that stretches the arms a bit on a windy day would be pretty >cool - upto about fifty quid would be fine.

Have a look at the kites made by Mullins , Spirit of Air and Flexifoil. They all do very nice kites around the 50 /60 mark .Look out for Javalin from Spirit of Air 59.00 192cm span incl. lines Sprint from Mullins 55.99 plus lines Erazor from Flexifiol 59.95 plus lines

For something with pull try the Flexifiol hotshot 4' at 59.90 incl. lines or the Flexifoil Stacker 6' at 75.00 incl. lines all these kites fly very well. -- Graham Langhorne